It was a fantastic opportunity and we grabbed it with both hands. A friend of CRAG offered to donate a painting by Felton-based artist Sarah Farooqi to tell the story of the River Coquet. The CRAG committee decided that this picture would become the flagstone image for CRAG. It would describe our view of how CRAG could support the Coquet and its catchment.
Not knowing what we were entering into, we met with Sarah to learn about what she could offer us. Instead, we spent most time describing to Sarah what we wanted from the painting. We wanted the map to show the users of the river – the farms, the tourists and the communities. It needed to illustrate what was good about the river – the woodlands, the animals and birds, the sand dunes and mudflats. And it needed to describe those features that can impact on the river – the weirs, the old mine sites, the sewage treatment works and the invasive weeds.
Sarah sent us home with homework. We needed to supply her with maps and photos, and we needed to refine our list of things that we wanted to see on the painting.
The committee were the lucky ones. We got to see the drafts as Sarah’s vision of our requirements came to life. First a pencil drawing, and we suggested changes. Then a second pencil drawing, and we made further changes. Then a pen drawing, and we made a final change or two. And finally, the finished painting (and no more changes).
We know that the painting is exceptional, and we know how lucky we are!
Sarah Farooqi, Artist/Illustrator, www.sarahfarooqi.co.uk
CRAG 